Down’s deliverance day is beckoning at Clones

Down’s deliverance day is beckoning at Clones

18 July 2012

IT’S D Day on Sunday as reigning champions Donegal and challengers Down meet in the Ulster SFC final at Clones (2.00).

Ever since the draw for the Ulster SFC was made this was the most likely and certainly the most interesting final pairing that has now caught the imagination.

Donegal, with their now famous defensive set up and physical power in attack, against the lightweight Down attack and at times leaky defence, while both midfields are strong pairings that on the day can hold the answer as to who will be crowned champions.

However, this is a final that should produce not only a thriller full of open and attacking football and put the seal on a brilliant Ulster campaign by all counties.

Down have shown that they are a great championship side while Donegal are a team thirsting for success. They lost narrowly last year to eventual All-Ireland winners Dublin after having edged out Tyrone in the Ulster decider.

They played some great football in that campaign and manager Jim McGuinness has steadily brought the team forward and feels that at last, he has a settled side capable of adding to their All-Ireland success of two decades ago.

Down, on the other hand, have quietly retained their NFL Division 1 status and after two tough Ulster SFC games, are quite rightly in the final. But Donegal have also been just as impressive and have an extra game under their belts as well.

In the preliminary round the overcame Cavan in Breffni Park, then accounted for Derry and in the semi-final repeated their two points win of last year over Tyrone.

The last Ulster final meeting between Down and Donegal was in 1991 when Down won by 1-15 to 0-10 and then went on to win the All-Ireland with current manager James McCartan one of their attacking stars.

Although injured, well known TV pundit Martin McHugh came on as a second half substitute, but was one of the Tir Conail stars when Donegal won the Sam Maguire for their first and only time a year later.

One of the current Donegal attacking stars is Martin’s son Mark who has terrorised defences throughout the league and championship and is one player Down must curb if they are to regain the title.

Down manager James McCartan has steadily moulded a good young side capable of going all the way. The loss of Conor Garvey is massive, but with Niall McParland recovered from injury, he is available for a half back position.

Down certainly showed that they are a championship side. Against Fermanagh they struggled for spells, but two Conor Laverty goals saw them into the semi-final against Monaghan in the Morgan Athletic Grounds Armagh.

This was Down at their worst and then their best. Nine points behind, Down were given a lifeline two minutes into first half added time when Aidan Carr slammed home a penalty. With Conor Laverty again leading the attack they fought back and after Monaghan got a disputed goal to regain a four point lead, it was then all Down as they scored the final five points for a 1-14 to 1-13 victory.

Donegal showed all their class and football qualities as they overcame Tyrone in a hectic semi-final winning by 0-12 to 0-10, emphasising that they were and are in no mood to let go their grip on the Anglo Celt Cup.

When the sides met in the opening game in the NFL in Newry six months ago Down scrambled a one point victory against a Donegal side that was missing their star attacker Michael Murphy.

But as far as Down were concerned a win was a win and that result has given the players added confidence for Sunday’s big clash.